Chief Secretary directs for strict compliance of
guidelines of MHA
Port Blair,
Apr 13: The Home Ministry, Govt. of India, in
exercise of the powers conferred under Section 10(2)(1) of the Disaster
Management Act 2005, has directed States/UTs to take effective measures so as
to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country which has already been
declared pandemic by the World Health Organization. The Ministry has also asked
the States/UTs for implementation of the lockdown guidelines in letter and
spirit and also to maintain the supply of essential goods in the country.
In a letter addressed to the Chief
Secretaries of all the States and Union Territories on April 12, 2020, the Home
Secretary, Govt. of India, Shri Ajay Bhalla has reiterated for strict
observance by the authorities at various levels of guidelines and
clarifications by the MHA on 24th March, 2020 and clarifications
issued subsequently.
With a view to brining in clarity at the
implementation level, the Home Secretary has reiterated the following for
strict observance by the authorities at various levels:
i. Inter-state and
intra-state movement of all trucks and other goods / carrier vehicles with one
driver and one additional person is allowed as long as the driver is carrying a
valid driver's license. This is irrespective of the nature of the cargo,
whether essential or otherwise. No further permit or approval would be
required.
ii. Empty trucks/
goods carriers should also be allowed to operate while on way to pick up goods,
or returning after completing a delivery. Hence, there is no cause to stop
empty trucks provided they have valid documents such as driving license &
road permit etc.
iii. Local
authorities should actively facilitate the movement of truck drivers and
cleaners from their place of residence to location of their trucks.
iv. Local
authorities should facilitate the easy to and fro movement of workers to
workplace and back, in respect of all the permitted industrial/ commercial
activities.
v. Railways,
Airports, Seaports, and Customs authorities have already been authorized to
issue passes for their staff and contractual labour. This may be ensured.
vi. Regarding
issuance of passes to workers engaged in the manufacturing of permitted
categories, the State/ UT Governments are advised to expeditiously issue passes
on the basis of authorizations issued by companies/ organizations. The State/
UT Governments shall ensure that these passes are honored both for movement
within their State/ UT and in bordering areas of other States/ UTs.
vii. MSMEs engaged in the manufacture of essential items
like wheat flour (atta), pulses (dal) and edible oils should be allowed to
function freely, without any hindrances.
viii. Warehouses/ cold storage should be allowed to
freely function with allowance for to and fro movement of trucks and without
regard to the nature of the goods whether essential or otherwise. Warehouses of
companies should also be allowed to operate.
Consequent upon this, the Chief Secretary, A&N
Administration, Shri Chetan B. Sanghi has ordered that the guidelines and
clarifications issued by the MHA shall be applicable in the whole of UT of A&N
Islands with immediate effect. The instructions issued by the Ministry of Home
Affairs should be fully complied with, the order to this effect issued by the
Chief Secretary, A&N Administration said.
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